Assalamu alaykum sisters !
I frequently ponder what I would do with a million dollars if I actually possessed it. I keep coming back to the same thoughts. Realistically it would take millions, but who's counting?
I have this recurrent vision of building an Islamic institution, and I would call it "The Islamic Center for Women and Children". I often feel that women are missing out on many benefits of the deen in the USA because masjids are generally small, poor and cannot accommodate space for us. MashAllah I see local masjids striving to reach out, but as the muslim population increases it is becoming more difficult financially.
I imagine a very large, modern building (approx 10,000 square feet), with all kinds of amenities including classrooms, a lecture hall with seating, multiple prayer rooms, offices, counseling, a health clinic and a food pantry for those in need. There would be a fitness center and a swimming pool. A "board" of sorts would be organized to coordinate educators, guest speakers, volunteers, donations, dawah, sanitation, maintenance, expenses, social functions and networks, and qualified caretakers to watch over the little ones when "mom" would like to pray in peace, attend a lecture or exercise. Children would have the opportunity to attend classes and workshops. There will be a large working kitchen. There will be stroller parking (for those of you that have seen hazards in local masjids will understand this very well). There will be no basements. There will be ample air conditioning and a working PA system. There would be an all-female security staff. There would even be transportation available for those who have none. Oh yes, and of course there will be amenities to cater to women and children with special needs, whether it be physical, emotional or mental.
As a result of this initiative, the muslimah community would strengthen and broaden- which would directly benefit society. We would benefit each other. Stronger women=stronger marriages=stronger families=stronger society...all for the sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala.
I realize this may all sound naive, because I am sure that this would be a major task with enormous responsibility and endless funding.
Of course, I wouldn't mind a little personal indulgence, but that wasn't the purpose of this post.
Ultimately, I am thankful to Allah for everything he has bestowed upon my husband and I. If I never have millions, it's all good. I just cant see having it and not sharing it.
What would you do if you had millions?
If I Had a Million(s) Dollars
Surrender
Stick a fork in me, I am finished. I cannot find a template that really suits me. This is the last attempt for now. I loved the blue jeans, but it was a little hard to read. This one is much easier.
That said, I'm about to do some more baby proofing. We need to move some furniture around to make a better play area for my little Huggles. Hopefully I will be able to get to the toy store today, and get him safe toy chest for all his things. He loves to dig through his things, it keeps him busy for hours. For now, his toys are in a basket, and he takes them out, then puts them back in- over and over again. It's too cute.
My PC that I use soley for editing and storing photos took a dirt nap last night. I went out and bought a portable hard drive to back up my photos (all 14,000+ of them), and when I went to actually do it, my computer would not start. I think the power supply in the tower died. I'm totally annoyed, because now I will have to pay someone to back up my hard drive.
Lets not even talk about the fact that I have my photoshop proggie on the dead puter that is only for XP- and this laptop is vista. That was a dowload also. Currently I'm downloading trials of newer photoshop products to try on vista. They are super expensive. CS4 is about $700 USD. Im thinking of buying an older version of CS2 on e-bay for $150 USD. I'm so bummed out. I just took a bunch of new photos of Huggles with my new lens, and now I cant upload them and process them!
Moving on- I hope to get my hair done tonight. HijabiApprentice I know you will be appalled, but I have not had my hair cut since huggles was born, nor have I colored it. Four inches of grey roots (attractive). My sister is a hairdresser/make up artist, so inshAllah she will cut, color and highlight tonight. I need a pick me up. Feeling like dirty spittied up dish rag.
That's all for now. More later.
Ciao Bellas.
A quick note:
Eid Mubarak!
Not much going on, been too busy to blog any of my thoughts. Alhamdulillah husband and iBaby are doing great! Baby is getting SO big and silly. He's been scooting around on his belly, and sleeps with his behind up in the air! He is also smitten with hair-pulling, skin pinching and slobbering on anything within reach. And of course, he is a total sucker for anything soft and squishy! We go to the pediatrician Monday inshaallah, I have to guess hes bordering at least 19 lbs and 28 inches long. We shall see ;)
Ive been battling an awful sinus infection, but alhamdulillah it wasnt enough to keep me down! Working out of the home full time makes time fly. One day blends with the next, and before I know it, its sunday night and I am already missing being home with baby and husband in the evening.
I am super excited about the upcoming presidential election. No matter who wins, history will be made, and I look forward to following it closely. I still have not finished my investigation to determine who gets my vote. Im pretty sure what direction Im headed in, but I still have some time to mull it over.
Im super worried about the economy. Im not a financially savvy person, but there are signs- and of course news, about how bad things are. I cant help but think that the root cause of all this trouble is g-r-e-e-d. Lack of regulations. Riba. I do not think we are immune to hard times like during the great depression. I am scared, and hope inshaallah that things turn around soon.
May Allah keep us wise, close to the deen and responsible. May Allah protect us from despair and hardship, and at the same time, increase our ability to be kinder and more generous to those in need, Ameen.
Alhamdulillah wu shukr lillah for everything in this life and then next!
Until next time folks, May Peace Be Upon YOU!~
